I have found that "deals" on transport are hard to find in Japan.
Yes, cars are very expensive both to rent and drive. Tolls can be quite ugly. Depending on what you what to see, train/bus can be much more cost efficient. Plus, depending on your perspective (and where you plan to drive) travel by car can be a bit stressful for visitors.
Originally Posted by
darkhunter
Trains - INSANE here, I mean I'm seeing like $250+ USD for a round trip to say Kyoto or Osaka from Tokyo! ... I mean it's not that far. Yeah you can grab the rail pass for $300, I guess that's a good deal if you are going to go to more than 1 place...
Here I disagree. The rail pass is actually a pretty good deal. If you plan on visiting several cities, you will find travel pretty reasonable in my opinion. Shinkansen are clean, comfortable, and easy to use for visitors for intercity travel (won't get you to Naha, though
). Local/regional JR are also simple to use. IMHO, the best way to go visit several cities. It is very easy to get much more than your money's worth here.
Originally Posted by
darkhunter
- REALLY INSANE here as well. Tokyo Haneda to Okinawa Naha for $900 USD !!?? Now come on, LOL, granted I don't expect to get the measly 5 euro (1 way) I paid for ryanair from Ireland to Scotland, but $900 !? Flying is like impossible in Japan. You have to be rich!
Yes, prices are generally relatively high -- less effective competition and more regulation I suppose. But, like anywhere else, deals can be had if you are diligent. We recently get very nice fares from Osaka to Hokkaido -- it just depends on where you want to go and when. The summer "high" season will be pricey.
Originally Posted by
darkhunter
seems like if you are a traveler with a limited budget, Japan is just not a place you should go... Can someone go to Japan and travel and see more
than 1 city without going bankrupt?
I am not sure what your "limited" budget is, but If you plan carefully:
good (that is comfortable/doable) itinerary + rail pass + Cheap business hotels + awesome street/local food = affordable in my experience.
Perhaps fly into one city and out of another so you can "close the loop by train" and save time.
Good luck. I hope you are able to make the trip.